Mourne Mountain Marathon

Stevie strolls to another victory

On a breezy day in Strabane a large contingent of Omagh Harries took part in the Strabane 10k.  The race starts in the town and then takes an undulating course into the rural outskirts of the town.  Stevie Duncan continued a great run of results by winning in 31.21 to make it three wins in a row on the course, easily winning from Declan Reed from City of Derry. 

Next home was Jason Walsh finishing in 35.28, Seanie Meyler was home next running a good race to break 38 minutes in 37.57 and finished third in his category.  Terry Canning ran well to finish close behind in 38.31.  Julie Butler  (39.29) ran well in the female race and was just beaten into 2^nd by Helena Crossan.  Albert Law ran well to finish in 44.25.

Well done to all the other Harriers that took part, we will be publishing a full list of finishers in our next report, sorry to anybody who has been missed in today’s report.

Kevin Smyth was also in action running the Achill Island Half Marathon on Saturday running well to finish in 1.32.

Upcoming races in the next few weeks are, 14^th July SPAR Coleraine 10k, 17^th July An Creagan Autism 5km Run/Walk and the Tattyreagh 5 mile Run and 5km fun run on the 24^th July.

Training continues throughout the summer for the Juniors on Wednesday from 6 at the Omagh Leisure Centre Complex more information about the club can be found at www.omaghharriers.co.uk.

Tattyreagh 5mile Road Race & 5 Km Fun Run/Walk

This race in its 1st year is promising to be a big event with up on 400 runners / joggers / walkers on the starting line starting at 11am on Saturday 24^th July. The runners starting at the Tattyreagh football Club just five miles outside Omagh just off the Omagh to Fintona road and making their way over to Seskinore and back on a one lap course, passing the scenic Seskinore Forest. The address is 16a Old Fort Road, Tattyreagh, Omagh. BT78 1RU. The Omagh to Fintona road is off the Omagh to Belfast road about one mile outside of town. Travelling on the Fintona take a left turn for Tattyreagh GAC, all is signed post.

With commemorative tee-shirts for all runners, cash prizes for the winners (open & vets) and a well earned cup of tea and refreshments afterwards it will be a great day out for all the family. The chosen charity for this event is Foyle Hospice and Tattyreagh Children's Play Park. Runners can enter online through NI Athletic web site or you can pick up an entry form at Omagh Leisure Complex.

Hope training goes well and looking forward to seeing you all on the day.

For more info contact Martin at runnermartin@yahoo.co.uk or phone on 07786164431

Omagh Harriers First ever Sports Day

When close to 50 children from the local athletics club Omagh Harriers A.C turn out to challenge for medals at the first ever sports day event the meeting organisers and club as a whole certainly should be encouraged. This was the case with the 1^st ever junior athletics event held at youth sport Omagh on Wednesday 30^th June. Competitive, enthusiastic and encouraging for the future would be the summation as children challenged indeed battled in perfect weather conditions for running.

Its usual on these occasions for a number of outstanding children to come to one's notice and in this case Tirnean McNamee (100, 400, long jump, 800), Colm Logue (400, long jump and 800), P.J O’Donnell (100 metre winner), Adian McGuigan (100 metre winner) Meabh McGaughey (winner of 400 metre), Clara Monan (Winner long jump), Autum (Winner 800 metre), Ciara McSorley (100, 400) Sarah Devlin (long jump, 800) and Toni Moore (100, 400) really have a bright future in the sport, among many other competitors.

Following the completion of the junior programme, a senior mile race was organised open to all club members and anyone within the Omagh area. 8 top local athletes toed the line, bang on 7pm for what turned out to be an amazing spectacle. Dubbed the ‘magic mile’ it certainly did not disappoint. With a pace maker introduced for the first two laps, ordered to go out at 1:08 lap pace, the race certainly wasn’t slow. Conor Moore was the only athlete to follow the pace maker with Jason Walsh, Kristopher Mulldoon and Mehall Mennagh biding their time. Into the third lap, Walsh caught Moore. The early fast pace by Moore perhaps costing him at this stage. However, as Walsh took the lead, Moore wasn’t in the mood to give up and showed a great turn of speed done the home straight to clinch the first ever Omagh Harriers mile title by 1 second in a time of 4:50 with Jason coming home 2^nd in 4:51. 3^rd was Mehall Mennagh with a very strong second half, coming in with a great P.B of 5:02, followed by Kristopher Muldoon 5:13, Marty McLaughlin 5:30, Bobby Collins 6:14 and Emmet 6:37. Unfortunately there was only one senior female, which was disappointing. Zara Moore ran brilliantly in a time of 5:39.

A word of thanks must go to everyone who give up their free time to help with numerous tasks such as the booking of the track, organising medals, the smooth running of the events and the organisation of the food e.t.c. It wouldn’t be fair to single out one person, but thank you.

Tattyreagh 5mile Road Race & 5k Fun Run /Walk

Tattyreagh 5mile Road Race & 5k Fun Run /Walk takes place on the Saturday 24^th July 2010 @ 11am from their club house three mile from Omagh on the Fintona road. This in its first year is expected to bring in a large number of competitors from around the Omagh and surrounding area, with Omagh Harriers Stephen Duncan and Julie Butler just two of the athletics who will compete.

Martin Mc Laughlin from the Omagh Half Marathon organizing team is behind the organising of this new event along with the Tattyreagh committee to make this a fantastic race along with great hospitality on the day.